KR102446188B1 - Device for treating laundry and Controlling method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for controlling a laundry treatment apparatus according to the present invention includes the steps of: (a) determining, by a drawer treatment module, whether a predetermined drawer inlet condition is satisfied after a predetermined laundry processing cycle is completed; and (b) controlling the drawer operation module to set the drawer to the retracted state when the drawer retracting condition is satisfied and to set the drawer to the drawer retracted state when the drawer retracted condition is not satisfied.

Description

Laundry processing apparatus and its control method {Device for treating laundry and Controlling method for the same}

The present invention relates to a laundry treatment device having a drawer.

In general, a laundry treatment device is a device for processing laundry through various actions such as washing, dehydration and/or drying.

A laundry treatment device is a device that supplies water to submerge laundry and dissolves an appropriate amount of detergent in the laundry water to remove dirt from the laundry.

Such a laundry treatment device includes a washing machine that washes laundry, such as clothes and bedding, using the emulsification action of the detergent, the water flow generated by the rotation of the washing tub or laundry blades, and the mechanical force applied by the laundry blades, and hot or cold air applied to the laundry There are dryers that dry clothes, a refresher that removes wrinkles from clothes by applying steam, and others that provide multiple functions in combination, such as a washing machine combined with drying.

Laundry treatment devices are produced in various shapes and sizes depending on their use.

A general laundry treatment device needs to supply a minimum amount of washing water to perform washing, but when a washing tub with a large capacity is provided, there is a problem that a large amount of washing water is required even for washing a small amount of laundry. There are also mini washing machines for handling and baby washing machines.

As part of this demand, a laundry treatment device having two laundry modules having different capacities up and down has been developed. In the prior art (Patent Publication No. 10-2008-0065752), it is known that a washing module having a relatively small lower capacity is drawn out in a drawer method to put clothes in or take it out.

Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2008-0065752 (Published date: July 15, 2008)

In the prior art, when the drawer is placed in the drawn-out state, inconvenience occurs on the user's movement line due to the space occupied by the drawer's withdrawal, and there is a problem that it takes force and time for the user to change it to the retracted state. . In particular, in a general residential environment, the laundry treatment apparatus is often installed in a cramped space, and this inconvenience is a very big problem. In addition, if the drawer's withdrawal state continues for a considerable period of time, dust accumulates on the upper side of the drawer. The first object of the present invention is to solve this problem.

In the prior art, when the drawer is placed in the retracted state, there is a problem in that it is difficult to remove moisture from the laundry treatment space disposed inside the drawer. The clothes processing space is a space into which clothes are put, and for sanitary treatment of clothes, dehumidification management of the clothes processing space is essential. The second object of the present invention is to solve the problem of difficult removal of moisture.

In order to simultaneously solve the first problem and the second problem, the present invention provides a means for automatically controlling withdrawal and withdrawal of a drawer according to a predetermined condition.

In order to solve the above problems, the laundry treatment apparatus according to the solution means of the present invention, a cabinet; a drawer that is provided to be drawn in and out from the cabinet; a drawer operation module providing a driving force for drawing in and out of the drawer; a drawer processing module disposed in the drawer to form a drawer processing space accommodating laundry; After the drawer processing module finishes a predetermined laundry treatment process, it is determined whether a predetermined drawer retracting condition is satisfied, and if the drawer retracting condition is satisfied, the drawer is set to the retracted state. If the drawer retracting condition is not satisfied, the drawer and a control unit for controlling the drawer operation module to set the drawer to the withdrawal state.

In order to solve the above problems, the control method of the laundry treatment device according to the solving means of the present invention is (a) in which the drawer treatment module determines whether a predetermined drawer pull-in condition is satisfied after the predetermined laundry treatment process is finished (a) step; and (b) controlling the drawer operation module to set the drawer to the retracted state when the drawer retracting condition is satisfied and to set the drawer to the drawn out state when the drawer retracted condition is not satisfied.

The laundry treatment apparatus may include a drawer door that opens and closes a laundry inlet formed at an upper side of the drawer processing space, and a door operation unit that provides a driving force to open and close the drawer door. In step (b), if the drawer retracting condition is not satisfied, the door operation unit may be controlled to set the drawer to the drawer state and to set the drawer door to the open state.

The drawer pull-in condition may be preset to be satisfied when it is determined that a predetermined user is located within a predetermined area including the location of the laundry treatment device.

The drawer pull-in condition may be preset to be satisfied when a predetermined mobile terminal is located within a predetermined area including the location of the laundry treatment device.

The drawer pull-in condition may include a condition in which a predetermined mobile terminal is wirelessly connected to a predetermined wireless router capable of wireless connection only within a predetermined area including the location of the laundry treatment device.

The laundry treatment device may further include a communication unit wirelessly connected to the wireless router. Step (b) may be performed based on the information received by the communication unit from the wireless router.

According to the user's input through the mobile terminal, the laundry processing device is remotely controlled, and the drawer may be provided so as to be changed from one of an incoming state and a withdrawing state of the drawer in step (b) to another.

It is determined whether a predetermined withdrawal termination condition is satisfied in the withdrawal state of the drawer, and when the withdrawal termination condition is satisfied, the drawer operation module may be controlled to change the drawer to the drawn-out state.

The withdrawal termination condition may include a condition in which a predetermined time elapses from a point in time when the withdrawal state of the drawer starts.

When the withdrawal termination condition is satisfied, it is possible to notify that the drawer is changed to the drawn-in state.

The laundry treatment device may further include a cabinet treatment module disposed in the cabinet to form a cabinet treatment space for accommodating laundry.

Through the drawer pull-in mode, a user space around the laundry treatment device 100 is secured, a user's drawer pull-in operation is unnecessary, and dust accumulation on the upper side of the drawer can be prevented. Through the drawer withdrawal mode, moisture in the drawer processing space can be quickly removed.

By automatically changing whether the drawer is drawn in or out based on the satisfaction of the drawer retraction condition, the effect of drawer retraction (secure user movement, unnecessary user retracting operation, prevention of dust accumulation on the upper side of the drawer, etc.) and drawer withdrawal The effect (removal of moisture in the drawer processing space) can be achieved at the same time.

By controlling the door operation unit to set the drawer door to the open state in the drawer withdrawal state, moisture removal of the drawer processing space can be performed more efficiently, and the user's need for manually opening the drawer door can be reduced. can

The drawer can be drawn out only when the user is not nearby through the drawer retracting condition preset to be satisfied when it is determined that the user is located in a predetermined area.

By determining whether or not the drawer retracting condition is satisfied based on the location of the predetermined mobile terminal, the purpose of drawer drawer drawout control can be more conveniently achieved.

By determining whether the drawer retraction condition is satisfied on the basis of whether the wireless router and the mobile terminal are wirelessly connected, the drawer can be controlled very simply.

By being provided to change the mode through a remote control, it is possible to conveniently change the drawer withdrawal/input according to the user's selection.

Through the withdrawal termination condition, the drawer may be automatically drawn in after moisture in the drawer processing space is sufficiently removed in the drawer being drawn out state.

By additionally providing the cabinet processing module, while maintaining the advantages of having a plurality of processing modules, it is possible to solve the problem of drawer withdrawal and withdrawal of the prior art.

1 is a perspective view of a laundry treatment device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the laundry treatment device 100 of FIG. 1 .
3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a communication relationship between the laundry treatment device 100, the mobile terminal 200, the wireless router 300, and the server 400 of FIG. 1 .
4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method according to an embodiment of the laundry treatment apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 .
5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the control method of FIG. 4 in detail.
6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the control method of FIG. 5 and adding steps S900 and S300a.

In order to explain the present invention, the following description will be made based on a spatial orthogonal coordinate system with X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis orthogonal to each other. Each axial direction (X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, Z-axis direction) means both directions in which each axis extends. Adding a '+' sign in front of each axial direction (+X-axis direction, +Y-axis direction, +Z-axis direction) means a positive direction, which is one of the two directions in which each axis extends. Adding a '-' sign in front of each axial direction (-X-axis direction, -Y-axis direction, -Z-axis direction) means the other negative direction among both directions in which each axis extends.

Expressions referring to directions such as “before (+Y)/after (-Y)/left (+X)/right (-X)/up (+Z)/down (-Z)” mentioned below are XYZ It is defined according to the coordinate axis, but this is for explanation so that the present invention can be clearly understood to the last, and it goes without saying that each direction may be defined differently depending on where the reference is placed.

The use of terms with expressions such as 'first, second', etc. attached before the components mentioned below is only to avoid confusion of the components referred to, and is irrelevant to the order, importance, or master-slave relationship between the components. . For example, an invention including only the second component without the first component can also be implemented.

The laundry treatment device of the present invention may be a washing machine, a dryer, a dehydrator, or the like, or a combination thereof. For example, both the drawer processing module 150 and the cabinet processing module 160 may be any one of a washing machine, a dryer, and a dehydrator, and the drawer processing module 150 and the cabinet processing module 160 are each a washing machine. , a dryer and a dehydrator, and may be different from each other.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the laundry treatment apparatus 100 according to an embodiment includes a cabinet 110 that forms an exterior. The laundry treatment device 100 includes a drawer 120 (drawer) that is provided to be withdrawn from the cabinet (110). The laundry processing device 100 includes a drawer processing module 150 for processing laundry. The laundry processing device 100 may include a cabinet processing module 150 for processing laundry separately from the drawer processing module 150 . The laundry treatment device 100 includes a drawer operation module 130 that provides a driving force for drawing and inserting the drawer 120 .

The drawer processing module 150 is disposed in the drawer 120 to process laundry. The drawer processing module 150 forms a drawer processing space (not shown) for accommodating laundry. The drawer processing module 150 includes a drawer door 155 that opens and closes the drawer processing space. The drawer processing module 150 may be referred to as a 'first processing module 150 '.

The cabinet processing module 160 is disposed in the cabinet 110 to process laundry. The cabinet processing module 160 forms a cabinet processing space (not shown) for accommodating laundry. The cabinet processing space is provided separately from the drawer processing space. The cabinet processing module 160 includes a cabinet door 165 that opens and closes the cabinet processing space. The cabinet processing module 160 may be referred to as a 'second processing module 160 '.

The cabinet 110 supports the drawer 120 . The cabinet 110 supports the drawer 120 to be withdrawn. The drawer 120 supports the drawer processing module 150 , and consequently the cabinet 110 supports the drawer processing module 150 . The cabinet 110 supports the cabinet processing module 160 . A cabinet tub (not shown) of the cabinet processing module 160 is fixed to the cabinet 110 . The cabinet 110 is placed on an external floor surface. In the cabinet 110 , the cabinet processing module 160 and the drawer 120 are vertically spaced apart from each other.

The cabinet 110 includes a front cover 111 forming a front surface. The cabinet 110 includes a side cover 112 that forms a side surface. The side cover 112 may form both sides of the cabinet 110 . The cabinet 110 includes a back cover (not shown) forming a rear surface. The cabinet 110 includes a top cover 114 defining an upper side thereof. The cabinet 110 includes a base (not shown) forming a lower side thereof. The base may be placed on an external bottom surface. The base supports the laundry treatment device 100 .

A drawer insertion hole (not shown) into which the drawer 120 is inserted is formed in the cabinet 110 . The drawer insertion hole may be formed on the front surface of the cabinet 110 . The drawer insertion hole may be formed on the front surface of the lower portion of the cabinet 110 . The drawer insertion hole may be formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the front. The drawer insert may be recessed from the front to the rear. The drawer insertion hole is disposed below the cabinet processing module 160 .

The drawer 120 may be provided in the cabinet 110 so as to be drawn in and out of the cabinet 110 . A state in which the drawer 120 is inserted backward may be referred to as a 'retracted state'. A state in which the drawer 120 is withdrawn forward may be referred to as a 'pull-out state'. 1 illustrates a drawing operation direction M1 of the drawer 120 . The drawer is drawn into the cabinet 110 in a direction opposite to the withdrawal operation direction M1.

In a state in which the drawer 120 is retracted, the upper surface of the drawer processing module 150 may be covered. When the drawer 120 is retracted, the drawer door 155 may be covered. When the drawer 120 is drawn out, the upper surface of the drawer processing module 150 may be exposed. When the drawer 120 is drawn out, the drawer door 155 may be exposed.

The drawer 120 may be provided with a limited retractable range. The drawer 120 may be provided with a limited withdrawable range.

The drawer 120 may include a drawer cover (not shown) forming a front surface, a rear surface, both sides, an upper surface, and a lower surface of the drawer. The drawer 120 may be provided with sliders (not shown) on both sides, and the cabinet 110 may be provided with a drawer guide (not shown) along which the slider moves. The slider may be disposed on both sides of the drawer 120 . The drawer 120 may include a drawer handle (not shown) provided for a user to hang and hold. The drawer handle may be disposed on the front surface of the drawer 120 .

The drawer operation module 130 draws and inserts the drawer 120 . The drawer operation module 130 automatically allows the drawer 120 to be drawn out or retracted even if the user does not touch the drawer 120 .

The drawer operation module 130 may include a drawer operation motor (not shown) that generates a rotational force. The drawer operation module 130 may include a conversion assembly (not shown) that converts the rotational force of the drawer operation motor into a linear motion force of the drawer. For example, a pinion rotating by the drawer operating motor fixed to the cabinet 110, and a rack having gear teeth engaged with the gear teeth of the pinion and fixed to the drawer 120 using a rack , the transformation assembly may be implemented. It is obvious that the drawer operation module 130 can be implemented using a variety of known technical means, and descriptions of other examples will be omitted.

The cabinet processing module 160 may be provided as a front-loading type that puts laundry in the front. The cabinet processing module 160 is disposed above the drawer processing module 150 . The cabinet processing module 160 is disposed on the upper side of the cabinet 110 . The cabinet processing module 160 forms the cabinet processing space for accommodating laundry. Washing, spin-drying, and/or drying may be performed on the laundry in the cabinet processing space.

The cabinet processing module 160 includes a cabinet input unit 161 provided to input an instruction for driving the cabinet processing module 160 . The cabinet input unit 161 may be disposed on the upper side of the cabinet 110 . The cabinet input unit 161 may include a button, a dial, and/or a touch screen provided to receive an input from a user.

The cabinet processing module 160 includes a cabinet output unit 162 that is provided to output information about the operation of the cabinet processing module 160 . The cabinet output unit 162 may be disposed on the upper side of the cabinet 110 . The cabinet output unit 162 may include a display.

The cabinet treatment module 160 includes the cabinet tub in which washing water is contained. The cabinet tub defines the cabinet processing space. The cabinet tub is fixed to the cabinet 110 . The cabinet tub may form a laundry inlet in the front.

The cabinet processing module 160 includes a cabinet drum 167 rotatably disposed within the cabinet tub. The cabinet drum 167 is provided to contain laundry. A cabinet drum 167 is disposed within the cabinet processing space. The cabinet drum 167 is rotatably provided about a predetermined rotation axis. The cabinet drum 167 is rotatably provided about a rotating shaft extending in the front-rear direction. The rotating shaft of the cabinet drum 167 may be a shaft extending upwardly inclined forward. The cabinet drum 167 may have a laundry inlet formed in the front.

A plurality of through-holes (not shown) are formed in the cabinet drum 167 to allow washing water to pass therethrough. A balancer (not shown) may be provided in the cabinet drum 167 . The balance is for reducing vibrations generated according to the eccentric amount of laundry accommodated in the cabinet drum 167, and may be implemented as a liquid balance, a ball balance, or the like.

The cabinet processing module 160 includes a cabinet processing drive 168 that rotates the cabinet drum 167 . The cabinet processing driving unit 168 may include a motor (not shown) that generates a rotational force. The cabinet processing driving unit 168 may include parts such as gears, belts, pulleys and/or shafts for transmitting the rotational force of the motor to the cabinet drum 167 .

The laundry treatment device 100 may include a water supply passage connected to an external water source. A flow passage branching from the water supply passage for supplying water to the cabinet tub and a lower tub (not shown) to be described later may be provided, respectively.

The cabinet treatment module 160 includes a cabinet water supply unit (not shown) for supplying wash water into the cabinet tub. The cabinet water supply unit may include a cabinet branch flow path (not shown) connected to the water supply flow path and into which wash water is introduced. The cabinet water supply unit may include a cabinet water supply valve (not shown) for controlling the cabinet branch flow path. The cabinet water supply unit may include a cabinet spray unit (not shown) that injects wash water introduced through the cabinet branch passage into the cabinet drum 167 .

The cabinet processing module 160 includes a cabinet detergent supply unit 163 provided to supply detergent into the cabinet tub. The cabinet detergent supply unit 163 may be implemented as a detergent box mounted in and out of the cabinet 110 . The cabinet detergent supply unit 163 may be implemented such that the detergent flows into the water in the cabinet branch passage. The cabinet detergent supply unit 163 may be provided to be withdrawn from the front cover 111 .

The laundry treatment device 100 may include a drain passage for guiding the drain to the outside. The drain passage may be a passage through which water discharged from the cabinet tub and a drawer tub (not shown) to be described later is combined and introduced.

The cabinet treatment module 160 includes a cabinet drain unit (not shown) for discharging wash water in the cabinet tub. The cabinet drain unit may include a cabinet drain pipe (not shown) for guiding water in the cabinet tub to the drain passage. The cabinet drain unit may include a cabinet drain valve (not shown) for controlling the cabinet drain pipe.

The cabinet processing module 160 includes a cabinet door 165 provided to open and close the laundry inlet of the cabinet tub. The cabinet door 165 opens and closes the cabinet processing space. A cabinet door 165 is disposed in front of the cabinet processing space. The cabinet door 165 may be rotatably mounted to the cabinet 110 . The cabinet door 165 is disposed on the front cover 111 .

The drawer processing module 150 may be provided as a top-loading type that puts laundry upward. The drawer processing module 150 is disposed in the drawer 120 . The drawer processing module 150 forms the drawer processing space for accommodating laundry. Washing, spin-drying, and/or drying may be performed on the laundry in the drawer processing space.

The drawer processing module 150 includes a drawer input unit 151 provided to input an instruction for driving the drawer processing module 150 . The drawer input unit 151 may be disposed on the upper side of the drawer 120 . The drawer input unit 151 may include a button, a dial, and/or a touch screen provided to receive an input from a user.

The drawer processing module 150 includes a drawer output unit 152 that is provided to output information on driving of the drawer processing module 150 . The drawer output unit 152 may be disposed on the upper side of the drawer 120 . The drawer output unit 152 may include a display.

The drawer treatment module 150 includes a drawer tub (not shown) in which washing water is contained. The drawer tub forms the drawer processing space. The drawer processing space may be disposed below the cabinet processing space. The drawer tub is fixed to the drawer 120 . The drawer tub may be suspended and fixed to the drawer 120 by a support member (not shown). A damper (not shown) serving as a buffer may be provided at one end of the support member. The drawer tub may form a laundry inlet in an upward direction.

The drawer processing module 150 includes a drawer drum 157 rotatably disposed in the drawer tub. The drawer drum 157 is provided to contain laundry. A drawer drum 157 is disposed within the drawer processing space. The drawer drum 157 is rotatably provided about a predetermined rotation axis. The drawer drum 157 is rotatably provided about a rotation shaft extending in the vertical direction. The drawer drum 157 may have a laundry inlet formed upward.

A plurality of through-holes (not shown) are formed in the drawer drum 157 to allow washing water to pass therethrough. A balancer (not shown) may be provided in the drawer drum 157 . The balance is for reducing vibration generated according to the eccentric amount of laundry accommodated in the drawer drum 157, and may be implemented as a liquid balance, a ball balance, or the like.

The drawer processing module 150 may include a pulsator (not shown) rotatably disposed on the bottom of the drawer drum 157 . The pulsator may generate a rotational water flow in the wash water in the drawer drum 157 .

The drawer processing module 150 includes a drawer drum 157 and a drawer processing driving unit 158 for rotating the pulsator. The drawer processing driving unit 158 may include a motor (not shown) that generates a rotational force. The drawer processing driving unit 158 may include parts such as gears, belts, pulleys and/or shafts for transmitting the rotational force of the motor to the drawer drum 157 and the pulsator. The drawer processing driving unit 158 may include a drawer drum 157 and a clutch (not shown) for selectively rotating the pulsator forward or backward.

The drawer treatment module 150 includes a drawer water supply unit (not shown) for supplying wash water into the drawer tub. The drawer water supply unit may include a drawer branch flow path (not shown) connected to the water supply flow path and through which wash water is introduced. The drawer water supply unit may include a drawer water supply valve (not shown) that regulates the drawer branch flow path. The drawer water supply unit may include a drawer spray unit (not shown) that sprays the wash water introduced through the drawer branch passage into the drawer drum 157 .

The drawer processing module 150 includes a lower detergent supply unit (not shown) provided to supply detergent into the drawer tub. The lower detergent supply unit may be implemented as a detergent box mounted in and out of the drawer 120 . The lower detergent supply unit may be embodied such that detergent is introduced into the water in the drawer branch passage. The lower detergent supply unit may be provided to be withdrawn forward from the front surface of the drawer 120 .

The drawer treatment module 150 includes a drawer drainage unit (not shown) for discharging wash water in the drawer tub. The drawer drain unit may include a drawer drain pipe (not shown) for guiding water in the drawer tub to the drain passage. The drawer drain unit may include a drawer drain valve (not shown) controlling the drawer drain pipe.

The drawer processing module 150 includes a drawer door 155 provided to open and close the laundry inlet of the drawer tub. The drawer door 155 opens and closes the drawer processing space. The drawer door 155 is disposed above the drawer processing space. The drawer door 155 opens and closes the laundry inlet formed at the upper side of the drawer processing space. The drawer door 155 is disposed on the upper side of the drawer 120 .

In the present embodiment, the drawer door 155 is rotatably mounted to the drawer 120 . The drawer door 155 may be provided such that its front end rotates upward and opens. (Refer to operation direction M2) The drawer door 155 is provided to open and close the drawer processing space by rotating about a predetermined rotation axis extending in the left and right direction. The rotation shaft of the drawer door 155 may be disposed at the rear end of the drawer door 155 .

Although not shown, in another embodiment, the drawer door 155 may be slidably mounted to the drawer 120 . The drawer door 155 may slide with respect to the upper side of the drawer 120 and may open and close the laundry inlet of the drawer processing space.

The drawer processing module 150 may include a door operation unit 156 that provides a driving force for opening and closing the drawer door 155 . The door operation unit 156 opens and closes the drawer door 155 . The door operation unit 156 may automatically open or close the drawer door 155 even if the user does not touch the drawer door 155 .

The door operation unit 156 may include a door operation motor (not shown) that generates a rotational force. The door operation unit 156 may include a door conversion assembly (not shown) that converts the rotational force of the door operation motor into an opening/closing movement force of the door. For example, a first gear fixed to the door operation motor fixed to the drawer 120 and rotating, and a second gear having gear teeth engaged with the gear teeth of the first gear and fixed to the rotation shaft portion of the drawer door 155 . By using a gear, the door conversion assembly may be implemented. It is obvious that the drawer operation unit 156 can be implemented using a variety of known technical means, and descriptions of other examples will be omitted.

The laundry treatment device 100 may include a microphone (not shown) for recognizing a voice command. The laundry treatment device 100 may include a speaker (not shown) for outputting various types of information as sound.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the laundry treatment device 100 includes a control unit 170 that controls the operation of various components. The control unit 170 may process various types of information received or received. The control unit 170 may make a determination according to the stunned condition based on various types of information.

The controller 170 controls the drawer processing module 150 . The control unit 170 controls the cabinet processing module 160 . The control unit 170 may independently operate the drawer processing module 150 and the cabinet processing module 160, respectively. The control unit 170 may receive or receive information (eg, an instruction, a command, or sensing information) for each of the drawer processing module 150 and the cabinet processing module 160 .

The controller 170 may control the operation of the drawer operation module 130 . The control unit 170 may control the operation of the door operation unit 156 . The control unit 170 may control the output of the output units 152 and 162 . The control unit 170 may control the operation of the drawer processing driving unit 158 . The control unit 170 may control the operation of the cabinet processing driving unit 168 .

The laundry treatment device 100 is connected to the server 400, the wireless router 300, the mobile terminal, and/or other devices (peripheral devices) located in a specific area through one of wired, wireless, and satellite communication methods. It may include a communication unit 180 for transmitting and receiving signals and data.

The communication unit 180 may be provided for wireless communication within a predetermined network. When the communication unit 180 communicates with a predetermined network, it means that the communication unit 180 communicates with at least one of the wireless router 300 , the server 400 , and the mobile terminal 200 constituting the network.

Referring to Ta of FIG. 3 , the communication unit 180 may perform wireless communication with the wireless router 300 . Referring to Td of FIG. 3 , the communication unit 180 may perform wireless communication with the mobile terminal 200 . Referring to Tf of FIG. 3 , the communication unit 180 may directly perform wireless communication with the server 400 . For example, the communication unit 180 may be implemented to perform wireless communication using a wireless communication technology such as IEEE 802.11 WLAN, IEEE 802.15 WPAN, UWB, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Z-wave, Blue-Tooth, and the like. The communication unit 180 may vary depending on the communication method of another device or server to communicate with. In this embodiment, the communication unit 180 is wirelessly connected to the wireless router 300 .

Information obtained from the input units 151 and 161 may be transmitted over a network through the communication unit 180 . Information obtained from a sensor (not shown) of the laundry treatment device 100 may be transmitted over a network through the communication unit 180 . Information on the current operation state of the laundry treatment device 100 may be transmitted over a network through the communication unit 180 .

Information may be received from the laundry processing device 100 on the network through the communication unit 180 , and the laundry processing device 100 may be controlled based on the received information. An operation of the drawer operation module 130 may be controlled based on the received information. An operation of the door operation unit 156 may be controlled based on the received information. Based on the received information, the output of the output units 152 and 162 of the laundry treatment device 100 may be controlled. An operation of the drawer processing driving unit 158 may be controlled based on the received information. An operation of the cabinet processing driving unit 168 may be controlled based on the received information.

The laundry treatment device 100 may include a storage unit (not shown) for storing information received from a network through the communication unit 180 . The storage unit may store instructions from the input units 151 and 161 . Information obtained through the sensor of the storage unit laundry treatment device 100 may be stored.

3 shows a home network system. Referring to FIG. 3 , the home network system may include a laundry treatment device 100 , a mobile terminal 200 , a wireless router 300 , and a server 400 that transmit information to each other through a network.

The network may be constructed based on technologies such as Wi-Fi, Ethernet, zigbee, z-wave, Bluetooth, and a mobile communication network. The laundry treatment device 100 , the mobile terminal 200 , the wireless router 300 , and the server 400 may include a communication module connectable to the network according to a predetermined communication protocol.

According to the configuration of the network, a communication module provided in each of the devices 100 , 200 , 300 , and 400 constituting the network system is determined. A plurality of communication modules may be provided in the device according to a communication method between the device and the network or between the devices.

In addition, the home network system may further include a gateway (not shown). The gateway may mediate communication between the laundry processing device 100 and the wireless router 300 . The gateway may communicate with the laundry treatment device 100 wirelessly. The gateway may communicate with the wireless router 300 . For example, communication between the gateway and the wireless router 300 may be based on Ethernet or Wi-Fi.

Referring to Ta of FIG. 3 , the wireless router 300 may be wirelessly connected to the laundry processing device 100 . Referring to Tc of FIG. 3 , the wireless router 300 may be connected to the server 8 through wired or wireless communication. Through Tb of FIG. 3 , the wireless router 300 may be wirelessly connected to the mobile terminal 200 .

The server 400 may be implemented to be accessible through the Internet. Various terminals (not shown) connected to the Internet may communicate with the server 400 . The terminal may be, for example, a personal computer (PC) and a mobile terminal 200 .

Referring to Tc of FIG. 3 , the server 400 may be wirelessly connected to the wireless router 300 . Referring to Tf of FIG. 3 , the server 400 may be directly wirelessly connected to the laundry treatment device 100 . Referring to Te of FIG. 3 , the server 400 may be directly wirelessly connected to the mobile terminal 200 .

Referring to Tb of FIG. 3 , the mobile terminal 200 may be wirelessly connected to the wireless router 300 through wi-fi or the like. In an embodiment of the present invention, whether or not a drawer entry condition to be described later is satisfied may be determined based on whether the wireless router 300 and the mobile terminal 200 are wirelessly connected only within a predetermined area.

Referring to Td of FIG. 3 , the mobile terminal 200 may be directly wirelessly connected to the laundry treatment device 100 through Bluetooth or the like. Referring to Te of FIG. 3 , the mobile terminal 200 may be directly wirelessly connected to the server 400 through a mobile communication service.

In one embodiment of the present invention, when the laundry processing device 100, the mobile terminal 200, and the server 400 communicate with each other through the wireless router 300 (refer to Ta, Tb, and Tc in FIG. 3), it must be There is no need to be limited thereto.

Hereinafter, a control method of the laundry treatment device will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6 . The control method may be performed by any one of the control unit 170 , the mobile terminal 200 and the server 400 , and may be performed in a combination of any two or more of the control unit 170 , the mobile terminal 200 and the server 400 . may be performed by The present invention may be a computer program for implementing each step of the control method, or a recording medium on which a program for implementing the control method is recorded. The 'recording medium' means a computer-readable recording medium. The present invention may be a control system including both hardware and software.

In some embodiments, it is also possible for the functions recited in the steps to occur out of order. For example, it is possible that two steps shown one after another may in fact be performed substantially simultaneously, or that the steps may sometimes be performed in the reverse order depending on the function in question.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the control method includes a waiting step ( S100 ) in which the laundry treatment device 100 maintains a standby state after a predetermined laundry treatment cycle. The control method includes a determination step ( S200 ) of determining whether a predetermined drawer retraction condition is satisfied in the standby state. The control method includes a step (S300) of setting a drawer retracting mode of the laundry treatment machine 100 when the drawer retracting condition is satisfied. The control method includes a step (S400) of setting a drawer drawer mode of the laundry treatment machine 100 when the drawer draw-in condition is not satisfied. The control method includes determining whether a predetermined retrieval termination condition is satisfied in the drawer retrieval mode state (S500). The control method includes a notification step (S600) of notifying the user when the drawer withdrawal mode is terminated.

The laundry treatment cycle may be a cycle including washing, drying, dehydration, or a combination thereof. The standby state may proceed after the end of the laundry treatment process. In the standby state, the user may manually withdraw the drawer 120 . In the standby state, the user may manually open and close the drawer door 155 . The standby state means a state in which the laundry treatment device 100 does not perform the laundry treatment process.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the determination step S200 may be performed in the standby state S100 of the drawer processing module 150 . 5 and 6 , the determining step ( S200 ) may be performed after the laundry treatment process of the drawer processing module 150 is finished ( S100 ).

Referring to FIG. 4 , in the determining step ( S200 ), the drawer processing module 150 determines whether a predetermined drawer pull-in condition is satisfied after the predetermined laundry treatment process is finished. The determination step (S200) may be referred to as step (a).

In an actual program (coding) for implementing this, for example, it is determined whether a predetermined condition A is satisfied, and when the condition A is satisfied, the drawer 120 is drawn in, and when the condition A is not satisfied, the drawer 120 is drawn out. As another example, it is determined whether a predetermined condition B is satisfied, and the drawer 120 is drawn in when the condition B is not satisfied, and the drawer 120 is drawn out when the condition B is satisfied. It is determined whether the drawer retracting condition is satisfied, and if the drawer retracting condition is satisfied, the drawer 120 is set to the retracted state, and if the drawer retracted condition is not satisfied, the drawer 120 is set to the drawn out state. is meant to encompass all of That is, the drawer pull-in condition may be interpreted as a condition that satisfies the condition A or may be interpreted as a condition that does not satisfy the condition B.

The drawer pull-in condition may be preset to be satisfied when it is determined that a predetermined user is located within a predetermined area including the location of the laundry treatment device 100 . A first embodiment and a second embodiment thereof will be described as follows.

As a first embodiment, when it is determined that the user is located in the predetermined area by a user detection sensor (not shown), the drawer entry condition may be preset to be satisfied. For example, the user detection sensor may be implemented through an IR sensor, an image sensor, a thermal sensor, or the like. The user detection sensor may be installed in the laundry treatment device 100 , or may be disposed outside the laundry treatment machine 100 and transmit the acquired information to the laundry treatment machine 100 .

Referring to FIG. 5 , in the second embodiment, when it is determined that the location of the predetermined mobile terminal 200 is located within the predetermined area, assuming that the user carries the predetermined mobile terminal 200 . The drawer pull-in condition may be preset to be satisfied. That is, the drawer pull-in condition may be preset to be satisfied when the predetermined mobile terminal 200 is located within a predetermined area including the location of the laundry treatment device 100 ( S210 ).

Hereinafter, description will be made based on the second embodiment. The second embodiment includes the second embodiment 2a, the embodiment 2b and the embodiment 2c, the details of which are as follows.

Referring to FIG. 6, in the second embodiment, the drawer entry condition includes a condition in which the mobile terminal 200 is wirelessly connected to a predetermined wireless router 300 capable of wireless connection only within the predetermined area ( S211). For example, the wireless router 300 may have a predetermined wireless distance by using wi-fi or the like, and accordingly, a wireless connectable area of the wireless router 300 may be the predetermined area. If the user's mobile terminal 200 is within the predetermined area and is wirelessly connected to the wireless router 300, it may be determined that the drawer entry condition is satisfied.

Although not shown, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the drawer entry condition is two (mobile terminal 200 and laundry treatment machine) detected by any one of the predetermined mobile terminal 200 and the laundry treatment device 100. 100)), including the condition that the distance between them is within a predetermined distance. For example, one of the mobile terminal 200 and the laundry treatment device 100 transmits a predetermined signal whose size varies according to the distance and receives the signal from the other, so that the distance between the two can be detected. . For example, the predetermined signal may be an Ultra Wide Band (UWB) signal.

Although not shown, in the second embodiment, the drawer entry condition includes a condition that the mobile terminal 200 is located within the predetermined area based on GPS tracking location information of the predetermined mobile terminal 200 . . In this case, by registering the location of the laundry treatment machine 100 on the network, the area around the location of the laundry treatment machine 100 may be set as the predetermined area. The location information of the mobile terminal 200 is transmitted on the network, and based on this, it can be determined whether the mobile terminal 200 is located in the predetermined area.

In the control method, the laundry treatment apparatus 100 may select any one of a drawer retracting mode and a drawer withdrawing mode according to whether the drawer retracting condition is satisfied. In the control method, based on the location information of the user, the laundry processing apparatus 100 may select any one of the drawer retracting mode and the drawer withdrawing mode. In the control method, based on the location information of the mobile terminal 200, any one of the drawer pull-in mode and the drawer pull-out mode of the laundry treatment device 100 may be selected.

In step S300 , if the drawer retraction condition is satisfied, the controller 170 controls the drawer operation module 130 to set the drawer 120 to the retracted state. In step S400 , if the drawer retraction condition is not satisfied, the controller 170 controls the drawer operation module 130 to set the drawer 120 to the drawer state. The step (S300) and the step (S400) may be referred to as step (b).

In the drawer retracting mode, the drawer 120 is in the retracted state. The drawn-in state of the drawer 120 means a state in which the drawer 120 is drawn into the cabinet 110 in a direction opposite to the drawing-out direction M1. In the drawer retracting mode, the drawer door 155 is in a closed state. If the drawer retraction condition is satisfied, the controller 170 may additionally control the door operation unit 156 to set the drawer door 155 to a closed state. For example, when the drawer 120 is in the drawn-out state and the drawer door 155 is changed from the open state to the drawer retracting mode, the drawer door 155 may first change to the closed state and then the drawer 120 may be retracted.

In the drawer take-out mode, the drawer 120 is in a drawer state. The drawn-out state of the drawer 120 means a state in which the drawer 120 is drawn out from the cabinet 110 in the drawing-out direction M1 . In the drawer withdrawal mode, the drawer door 155 may be in an open state. If the drawer retraction condition is not satisfied, the controller 170 may additionally control the door operation unit 156 to set the drawer door 155 to an open state. For example, when the drawer 120 is in the retracted state and the drawer door 155 is changed from the closed state to the drawer retracted mode, the drawer 120 is first changed to the drawn out state and then the drawer door 155 may be opened. As another example, when the drawer 120 is in the retracted state and the drawer door 155 is changed from the closed state to the drawer retracted mode, the drawer 120 is changed to the drawn-out state, but the drawer door 155 is not separately controlled and is in the closed state. you can also keep

Through the drawer retracting mode, it is possible to secure a user space around the laundry treatment device 100 . Through the drawer withdrawal mode, moisture in the drawer processing space can be quickly removed.

The control method may be provided to enable a mode change by a user's manual input. For example, the drawer withdrawal mode may be changed through a user's manual input in the drawer retracting mode, and the drawer retracting mode may be changed through the user's manual input in the drawer withdrawing mode. For example, the user may instruct the mode change by input through the mobile terminal 200 . As another example, the user may instruct the mode change by input through the input unit of the laundry treatment device 100 .

Step (b) may be performed based on the information received by the communication unit 180 from the wireless router 300 . For example, the server 400 or the mobile terminal 200 determines whether the drawer pull-in condition is satisfied, the communication unit 180 receives the determination result information, and the control unit 170 controls the laundry treatment device 100. You can change the mode. As another example, the communication unit 180 receives information related to the location of the user or the mobile terminal 200 , and the control unit 170 determines whether the drawer pull-in condition is satisfied based on the received information, and processes the laundry accordingly The mode of the device 100 may be changed.

Referring to FIG. 4 , a withdrawal termination condition determination step S500 of determining whether a predetermined withdrawal termination condition is satisfied in the withdrawal state of the drawer 120 is performed. The withdrawal termination condition determination step ( S500 ) is performed in a state ( S400 ) in which the laundry processing device 100 is in the drawer withdrawal mode.

When the withdrawal termination condition is satisfied, the drawer operation module 130 is controlled to change the drawer 120 to the retracted state. When the withdrawal termination condition is satisfied, the laundry treatment device 100 is controlled to change to the drawer pull-in mode (S300).

If the withdrawal termination condition is not satisfied, the drawer 120 is controlled to continuously maintain the withdrawal state (S400). When the withdrawal termination condition is satisfied, the laundry treatment machine 100 is controlled to maintain the drawer withdrawal mode.

Some examples of the withdrawal termination conditions will be described below.

5 and 6 , as an example, the withdrawal termination condition includes a condition in which a predetermined time elapses from the time when the withdrawal state of the drawer 120 starts ( S510 ). It is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when the drawer withdrawal mode is started (S510), and if the predetermined time has not elapsed, the drawer 120 is controlled to maintain the withdrawal state, and when the predetermined time has elapsed, the drawer ( 120) is controlled to be changed to the incoming state. As another example, the withdrawal termination condition may include a condition in which humidity sensed by a sensor in the drawer processing space is less than or equal to a predetermined value.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the notification step ( S600 ) may be performed when the withdrawal termination condition is satisfied. When the withdrawal termination condition is satisfied, it may be notified that the drawer 120 is changed to the drawn-in state in the notification step ( S600 ). For example, the notification step ( S600 ) may be performed by outputting predetermined time information or predetermined sound from the mobile terminal 200 . 5 and 6 , a message indicating that the drawer 120 is changed to the incoming state may be output (S610). As another example, the notification step ( S600 ) may be performed by outputting predetermined visual information or a predetermined sound from the laundry processing device 100 .

Referring to FIG. 6 , the control method may be provided to be changeable from any one of an incoming state and an withdrawing state of the drawer to another according to whether the user changes the mode ( S900 ). The control method may include determining whether the user changes the mode (S900).

In the control method, the laundry processing device 100 is remotely controlled according to the user's input through the mobile terminal 200, and the drawer is changed from any one of an incoming state and a withdrawing state of the step (b) to another. It may be possible to provide. For example, the user may remotely control the mode change by using an App running on the mobile terminal 200 . For example, information input by the user into the mobile terminal 200 is received by the laundry processing device 100 using the network, and accordingly, the controller 170 may control the mode change.

The step (S900) may be performed after the step (b). In the present embodiment with reference to FIG. 6 , the step S900 is performed in the drawer retracting mode state S300. If there is a user's mode change in the drawer retracting mode (S300) (S900), it is changed to the drawer withdrawing mode (S400).

Although not shown, in another embodiment, the step ( S900 ) may be performed in the drawer pull-out mode ( S400 ). If the user changes the mode in the drawer pull-out mode, it may be changed to the drawer pull-in mode.

Referring to FIG. 6 , in the present embodiment, if it is determined that the user has changed the mode in step S900 , the drawer input mode is changed to the drawer pullout mode ( S400 ). If it is determined that the user has not changed the mode in step S900, the drawer retracting mode is continuously maintained (S300a).

Although not shown, in another embodiment, not only the drawer retracting mode is changed from the drawer retracting mode through the step S900, but also the drawer retracting mode is changed from the drawer retracting mode through the step S900. have.

100: laundry treatment device 110: cabinet
120: drawer 130: drawer operation module
150: drawer processing module 160: cabinet processing module
170: control unit 180: communication unit
200: mobile terminal 300: wireless router
400: server

Claims (12)

a cabinet having a drawer insert in the front;
a drawer provided so as to be able to be drawn in and out of the cabinet through the drawer insertion hole;
a drawer processing module disposed in the drawer to form a drawer processing space accommodating laundry;
a drawer operation module providing a driving force for drawing in and out of the drawer;
a user detection sensor for detecting whether a user is located within a predetermined area; and
a control unit for controlling the drawer operation module to retract the drawer when a drawer retracting condition is satisfied and to withdraw the drawer when the drawer retracting condition is not satisfied;
The drawer pull-in condition is satisfied when the user detection sensor detects that the user is located within a predetermined area.
According to claim 1,
a drawer door for opening and closing a laundry inlet formed on an upper side of the drawer processing space;
Further comprising a door operation unit providing a driving force for opening and closing the drawer door,
The control unit controls the door operation unit in a state in which the drawer is drawn out when the drawer retracting condition is not satisfied to open the drawer door.
delete According to claim 1,
The drawer entry condition is:
A laundry treatment device that is satisfied when a predetermined mobile terminal is located within the predetermined area.
According to claim 1,
The drawer entry condition is:
A laundry treatment apparatus comprising a condition in which a predetermined mobile terminal is wirelessly connected to a predetermined wireless router capable of wireless connection only within the predetermined area.
6. The method of claim 5,
Further comprising a communication unit wirelessly connected to the wireless router,
The control unit is a laundry treatment device for controlling the drawer operation module based on the information received from the wireless router by the communication unit.
According to claim 1,
The control unit controls the drawer operation module to change from any one of an incoming state and an withdrawing state of the drawer to another based on an input through a user's mobile terminal.
According to claim 1,
The control unit determines whether a predetermined withdrawal termination condition is satisfied in the withdrawal state of the drawer, and controls the drawer operation module to change the drawer to the withdrawal state when the withdrawal termination condition is satisfied.
9. The method of claim 8,
The withdrawal termination condition is:
and a condition that a predetermined time elapses from a time point when the drawer withdrawal state starts.
9. The method of claim 8,
When the withdrawal termination condition is satisfied, the laundry treatment device notifies that the drawer is changed to the drawn-in state.
According to claim 1,
The laundry treatment apparatus further comprising a cabinet treatment module disposed in the cabinet to form a cabinet treatment space for accommodating laundry.
a cabinet having a drawer insert in the front;
a drawer provided so as to be able to be withdrawn from the cabinet through the drawer insertion hole;
a drawer operation module providing a driving force for drawing in and out of the drawer;
a drawer processing module disposed in the drawer to form a drawer processing space accommodating laundry;
A communication unit configured to be wirelessly connected to a predetermined wireless router capable of wireless connection only within a predetermined area;
a control unit for controlling the drawer operation module to retract the drawer when a drawer retracting condition is satisfied and to withdraw the drawer when the drawer retracting condition is not satisfied;
The drawer pull-in condition is a laundry treatment device including a condition that a predetermined mobile terminal is wirelessly connected to the wireless router.

Images